Value for Money Mee Siam at Kluang Rail Cafe

 

Mee Siam, its origins are vague even though the Thais have not credited themselves with the invention as they have a similar dish named Mee Kati. So let's not go into any nationalistic belief to claim this dish in the way that some others have done in the past. 

This is essentially a rice vermicelli noodle dish. but to be fair, I think the rice noodle thickness is closer to angel hair pasta than vermicelli. Eaten as a snack or a breakfast meal, it is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of milk tea or coffee. 

Found throughout Malaysia and Singapore, the one featured here is of course more Malaysian in design. In Singapore, Mee Siam comes with a soupy base whereas its Malaysian counterpart is dry fried.

Since its inception in 1938, Kluang's very own Railway Coffee Station has made quite a name for itself. It serves up very simple fair and it wasn't until they started to branch out as a full fledge cafe and hotel that its dishes started to make its mark. They have franchised their outlets all over Malaysia and can even be found in Johor Bahru.

Mee Siam at the Railway Coffee Cafe is priced at US$1. Comes with a serving of cucumbers, half a boiled egg and a splash of "sambal" made with chilli and prawn paste. An optional wedge of lime is thrown in for good measure for those who prefer a hint of sourness with their noodle.

The complicated part of this dish is the rice noodles. it has be done just right before frying. Done wrongly, it breaks up into a mess. The frying sauce coats the rice noodles infusing the flavors into them.

This particular dish at Kluang Rail Coffee Cafe is one that is well done and should not be missed. I must stress on the value for money part as everything seems to have increased in price lately and getting a dish for a buck is indeed a rarity.

Mee Siam @ Kluang Rail Coffee Cafe